SOURCE: AFI

In a candid assessment of India’s indigenous Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) program, Air Chief Marshal Amar Preet Singh, the current Chief of the Air Staff, has highlighted significant delays in the production of the Tejas Mk1 jet. Speaking at a recent press conference, the Air Chief revealed that since its initial induction into the Indian Air Force (IAF) in 2016, fewer than 40 Tejas Mk1 aircraft have been inducted, pinpointing the slow pace of production as a critical bottleneck.

Air Chief Marshal Singh expressed his deep concern over the production rates, emphasizing the urgent need to address these delays to maintain the IAF’s combat readiness. He stated, “The Tejas aircraft has been with us since 2016, but the numbers we’ve seen inducted are not commensurate with our requirements. We need to do something about it.”

SOURCE: AFI

In a significant stride towards bolstering India-US civil nuclear cooperation, the United States has announced plans to remove several Indian companies from its restricted ‘entities list.’ This move aims to dismantle decades-old barriers that have curtailed nuclear trade between the two nations.

US National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan, during his address at the Indian Institute of Technology, Delhi on Monday, confirmed that the US is in the process of finalizing steps to eliminate these long-standing regulations. “Today, I can announce that the United States is now finalizing the necessary steps to remove long-standing regulations that have prevented civil nuclear cooperation between India’s leading nuclear entities and US companies,” Sullivan stated.

SOURCE: AFI

India’s nuclear history is one of profound transformation—from a staunch advocate for a nuclear-free world to becoming the sixth declared nuclear power in 1974. This journey, shaped by global politics, regional conflicts, and internal dynamics, offers a fascinating insight into how ideals, ambitions, and strategic imperatives intersect.

India’s initial stance on nuclear weapons was rooted in moral conviction and the horrors of the atomic bombings in Japan. Mahatma Gandhi, in 1947, decried nuclear weapons as a “sinful and evil use of science.” Shortly after, India’s first Prime Minister, Jawaharlal Nehru, voiced his concerns about nuclear weapons being used disproportionately against Asians, calling for their global abolition.

SOURCE: AFI

In a move that could significantly advance India’s defense capabilities, the country is on the cusp of making a pivotal decision regarding the engine for its Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA) program. The engine, which needs to deliver a thrust of approximately 110kN, is central to the success of this ambitious 5th generation fighter jet project. Negotiations are currently underway with two of the world’s leading aerospace companies: France’s Safran and the UK’s Rolls-Royce.

The AMCA, designed to be India’s first indigenous stealth fighter, represents a leap forward in the nation’s aerospace technology. The choice of engine is not merely a technical decision but a strategic one, affecting everything from the jet’s performance to India’s defense self-reliance and international partnerships.

SOURCE: AFI

In a significant stride for India’s burgeoning defence manufacturing sector, Bengaluru-based SSS Defence has begun exporting its domestically developed .338 Lapua Magnum Saber Sniper Rifles to an unnamed friendly nation. This development underscores India’s growing capability in producing high-quality, specialized military equipment tailored for modern combat scenarios.

The 338 Saber Sniper Rifle, designed for elite military sniping and special law enforcement operations, has been crafted to meet the stringent demands of long-range engagements. Here are some key features of this rifle:

SOURCE: AFI

In a development that has stirred controversy and raised eyebrows in regional geopolitics, Pakistani ISI-backed handles on the social media platform X have claimed that India’s Research and Analysis Wing (R&AW) has been supplying the Afghan Taliban with Anti-Tank Guided Missiles (ATGMs). Specifically, these allegations point to the transfer of 9M113 Konkurs missiles, originally of Russian design but also manufactured in India.

These claims come on the heels of reports from Indian sources in October 2024, which acknowledged the transfer of such weaponry. The move has been labeled by various analysts as a potentially destabilizing act in the already volatile South Asian region. The Konkurs missile, known for its effectiveness against armored vehicles, could significantly alter the balance of power if indeed used in active combat scenarios.

SOURCE: AFI

India is currently in the process of evaluating options for the procurement of 110 multi-role fighter aircraft (MRFA) as part of its efforts to modernize and strengthen the Indian Air Force (IAF). The MRFA tender, estimated to cost around $25 billion, aims to replace aging fleet elements, bolster combat capabilities, and ensure air superiority for the next several decades. While the acquisition of advanced fighter jets remains an important component of India’s military modernization, a $25 billion investment could be allocated more strategically in several other ways to not only enhance India’s aerospace sector but also to bolster overall national defense and security.

Let’s explore how India can maximize this substantial budget in various sectors that will have both immediate and long-term impacts on the nation’s aerospace sector and the IAF’s combat strength.

SOURCE: AFI

A striking illustration from Taiwan, depicting Lord Rama aiming an arrow at a Chinese dragon, has once again captured public attention after being discovered near the Chinese border. Initially published by a Taiwanese news portal in 2020, the cartoon went viral following the violent clashes between Indian and Chinese troops in the Galwan Valley, Ladakh, along the Line of Actual Control. The artwork, captioned with the bold assertion “We Conquer, We Kill,” symbolizes a narrative of resistance and defiance.

On June 15, 2020, a skirmish led to the death of 20 Indian soldiers. While China did not officially disclose its casualty figures, U.S. intelligence estimated that 35 Chinese soldiers perished in the confrontation. This clash was one of the deadliest in decades along the India-China border.

SOURCE: AFI

The Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) of India is on the cusp of a significant advancement in unmanned aerial warfare, with plans to soon conduct trials for the third iteration of the Unmanned Launched Precision Guided Missile (ULPGM V3). This latest variant promises enhanced capabilities over its predecessors, marking another step in India’s journey towards self-reliance in defence technology.

The ULPGM V3 represents a substantial upgrade from the earlier models, boasting improvements in range, precision, and adaptability. The development of the ULPGM V3 has seen collaboration between DRDO and Adani Defence, with the latter taking on the manufacturing responsibilities. This partnership aligns with India’s push for private sector involvement in defence production under the “Make in India” initiative.

SOURCE: AFI

In a bold move that signals the future of air combat, Russia is making significant strides in the development of its sixth-generation fighter aircraft, with the Sukhoi Design Bureau at the forefront of this ambitious project. The head of Sukhoi’s Design Bureau recently shared key details about the next-generation fighter, emphasizing the aircraft’s need for a cutting-edge power plant that features significantly improved characteristics. This includes very low specific fuel consumption and high thrust, which are essential for meeting the demands of future aerial warfare.

The development of sixth-generation fighter jets is poised to revolutionize air combat, representing the next leap in military aviation after the fifth-generation fighters like the F-35 and Su-57. These future fighters will need to integrate advanced technologies and capabilities that surpass current aircraft, including stealth, autonomous systems, hypersonic speeds, advanced artificial intelligence (AI), and a networked approach to combat.

SOURCE: AFI

In a significant stride towards enhancing India’s naval capabilities, the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) has developed the Electronic Heavy Weight Torpedo (EHWT), a cutting-edge weapon system designed to bolster the Indian Navy’s underwater combat prowess. This development marks a pivotal moment in India’s defense autonomy, aligning with the national vision of ‘Aatmanirbhar Bharat’ or self-reliant India.

The EHWT is an advanced, submarine-launched anti-submarine warfare (ASW) torpedo. It is an evolution of the previously inducted Varunastra torpedo, tailored specifically for submarine deployment. This torpedo is designed to engage quiet submarines effectively in both shallow and deep waters, showcasing a blend of high precision and significant range capabilities.

SOURCE: AFI

Amidst global trends towards sixth-generation combat aircraft, the Aeronautical Development Agency (ADA) team behind the Tejas MkII program has robustly defended the continued development of this 4.5+ generation platform. Critics questioning the relevance of the Tejas MkII in an era eyeing future technologies have met with a well-structured argument from the ADA, emphasizing strategic foresight and technological continuity.

The Tejas MkII, or LCA Mk2, is not merely another fighter jet but a crucial stepping stone in the evolution of India’s indigenous aircraft design. It builds upon the lessons and technologies developed during the LCA Mk1 program, offering a platform to refine and innovate before leaping into more advanced systems.

SOURCE: AFI

In a strategic move to safeguard its burgeoning space assets, Pakistan has reportedly initiated discussions with China to acquire Anti-Satellite (ASAT) missiles. This development comes in the wake of India’s successful ASAT test, known as Mission Shakti, which demonstrated India’s capability to neutralize satellites in low Earth orbit, thereby posing a potential threat to Pakistan’s space infrastructure.

Pakistan’s space program, while not as extensive as India’s or China’s, has been making steady progress, focusing on both civilian and military applications. Satellites are becoming central to Pakistan’s strategic operations, including communication, reconnaissance, and navigation. The country currently operates several satellites, with the most notable being the PakSat-1R for telecommunications and the PRSS-1 (Pakistan Remote Sensing Satellite) for earth observation, which are crucial for both civilian and defense sectors.

SOURCE: AFI

India’s decision to withdraw from the Fifth Generation Fighter Aircraft (FGFA) program with Russia has often been attributed to concerns over the aircraft’s technical shortcomings, including its limited stealth capabilities. However, the financial burden of the project appears to have been the decisive factor in India’s pullout.

The FGFA program, based on Russia’s PAK-FA or Sukhoi T-50 platform, was initially envisioned as a joint venture with a 50:50 design and work-share agreement. This collaboration promised India a stake in the development of a cutting-edge stealth fighter. However, as the program progressed, India’s participation became increasingly limited, with Russia retaining much of the design and development work.

SOURCE: AFI

The Ministry of Defence (MoD) in India has embarked on three ambitious projects aimed at enhancing the operational capabilities of its armed forces through the integration of surveillance radars and sensors. These initiatives are designed to provide real-time, actionable intelligence for both offensive and defensive military operations across the Indian Air Force (IAF), Army, and Navy.

For the IAF, the focus is on creating a comprehensive ‘composite picture’ of the airspace through the integration of all national air surveillance radars. This integration will occur within the framework of the Integrated Air Command and Control System (IACCS). The IACCS is not just a collection of hardware but an advanced software platform that automates the command and control processes essential for air operations.